Origin
The same word as motive — what moves you to act is a motive; what moves a work of art forward is a motif.
Definition
A recurring theme, pattern, or design in art, music, literature, or decorative work.
The Full Story
French19th centurywell-attested
From French motif meaning motive or dominant theme, from Medieval Latin motivum meaning that which moves, from Latin movēre meaning to move Key roots: movēre (Latin: "to move").
This Word in Other Languages
Motif and motive are the same word — French just kept both forms. A motif is what moves a work of art forward (its recurring pattern), just as a motive is what moves a person to act. Wagner's leitmotifs literally meant "leading motives" — musical patterns that moved the drama forward.